20 UKRAINIAN CHILDREN WHO LOST THEIR PARENTS AT THE WAR ARRIVED AT LUBLIN

The meeting was of a great importance to both countries. Citizens of Poland and Ukraine together sang songs and carols in Ukrainian in Lublin. It is reported by Upmp.news with the reference to Polish Radio.

Ukrainian songs and carols were heard on Lubetka Square in Lublin. Such meetings and mutual acquaintance has much more significance than the actions of politicians.

Children from four regions of Ukraine – Kyiv, Lviv, Rivne and Volyn arrived at Lublin few days before. On December 27, Ukrainian children performed songs and carols in Ukrainian in a Christmas show led in front of the Lublin administration.

The Lublin Archdiocese, with the support of Lublin’s Mayor Krzysztof Zhuk, organized the event.

Sweets for little Ukrainians were provided by the “Bdzhilka” candy factory .

“Dom na Podwalu” provided housing and food. Priest Miroslav Ladnak organized charity fundraising in the church of St. Warrior .

The head of the organization “Patrons for a Soldier”, social activist Ruslan Telipsky became the guardian for Ukrainian children group for the trip. The organization is engaged in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers and helps orphaned children and young people to begin adult life. The organization also helps to cope with psychological problems after the loss a parent. There are 220 children under the tutelage of the organization.

“ 20 children arrived at Lublin for three days. For us, it is important to celebrate the Nativity of Christ in accordance with the Catholic tradition, since our holidays are mostly celebrated on January 6 and 7. We would like to thank for the invitation, for hospitality, for prayers for peace in our country. We also want to Lublin and Poland to Ukrainian children,” said Telipsky.

“We want to show them another world, give them some fun, games and celebrations. Because what we have now is war, and because of it some of those kids don`t have parents. And as at any war people die every day because of it and unfortunately, it is already perceived as a certain “norm.” And besides the donations that you make for the families of dead soldiers, not only one-time help is needed,” added Telipsky. He stressed that although the organization can not replace parents to the kids, such activities are necessary.

Mary, like other children, lost her father because of the war. In Lublin, she feels good. She likes architecture and the Old Town.

“I really like the people here, the atmosphere,” she said. The girl knows that there are a lot of Ukrainians in Poland, particularly in Lublin. “I am grateful for this visit. We like food a lot and we are happy,” she said.

The Consul General of Ukraine in Lublin Vasyl Pavlyuk emphasized that this meeting is of great importance for both sides.

“I am very grateful to Archbishop Stanislav Budzik for this chance for young Ukrainians to come here and meet the Poles. This again shows that we are together that we can have joint holidays. War is a difficult topic, these are orphaned children, but they were noticed and invited by the archbishop. I also invite young people from Poland to Ukraine for joint entertainments and celebrations, because this is very important, this is our future,” said Consul Pavlyuk.